When Brianna Butler arrived at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as a freshman, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
The political science major from Southaven, Mississippi, knew few people on campus and described herself as quiet and reserved. Today, she is preparing for a future career in law while participating in a competitive summer internship experience that has introduced her to new professional opportunities and perspectives.
For Butler, the internship experience represents the latest milestone in a personal and professional journey shaped by UAPB’s Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute, known as ESLI.
“I’ve met so many amazing people and learned about different opportunities that are out there,” Butler said. “Even though finance doesn’t directly relate to my major, it’s helping me see different possibilities and understand how everything connects.”
This summer, Butler is participating in an internship with Walton Enterprises, where she is learning about investment strategies, private and public companies and the financial sector. The experience has already taken her from Bentonville, Arkansas, to Washington, D.C., where she continues to expand her understanding of business, finance and professional leadership.
Created through support from the Walton Family Foundation, ESLI prepares students for leadership roles through professional development, mentorship, networking opportunities and internship placement. The program focuses on helping students develop both personally and professionally before entering the workforce.
According to Tim Campbell, executive director of ESLI, the program grew out of a conversation about how to create more opportunities for students like UAPB alumna Zaria Moore, whose successful internship experience inspired discussions about building a stronger leadership and internship pipeline for students.
The initiative received an initial $750,000 investment from the Walton Family Foundation and was tasked with placing 100 students in high-quality internships over three years. The program exceeded that goal, placing approximately 125 students in internships while continuing to expand its reach.
Brianna Butler
“We placed about 125 students in internships,” Campbell said. “Not just meeting the goal, but exceeding it was a huge victory.”
Campbell, a UAPB alumnus who was recently recognized in Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40 program, was recruited to help transform the grant’s vision into a comprehensive leadership development program.
Drawing on his experiences as a student, Peace Corps volunteer and community leader, Campbell worked alongside university and foundation partners to create a model centered on relationships, mentorship and consistent engagement.
“We meet every week,” he said. “We bring in speakers and talk about finances, networking, resume building, interview preparation and all the things students need to be successful in today’s job market.”
Yet Campbell believes the program’s most important work happens long before students begin applying for internships.
The first phase of ESLI focuses on self-discovery.
“Leadership isn’t just a title,” Campbell said. “A lot of leadership is self-reflection. It’s discipline. It’s working deeply with other people. The first part of the program is helping students understand who they are.”
For Butler, that process began shortly after she arrived on campus.
As the youngest of five sisters, she initially felt uncertain about leaving home and attending college in Pine Bluff. Her sisters, several of whom had attended UAPB, encouraged her to give the university a chance.
“I didn’t know what college I wanted to go to,” Butler said. “My sister told me, ‘Come down here for a semester. If you don’t like it, you can leave. If you do, stay.’”
Determined to make the most of the experience, Butler threw herself into campus life.
“I joined as many clubs as I could,” she said. “If I could be everywhere at once, I tried.”
Among those organizations was ESLI.
One of her earliest experiences with the program was attending a conversation circle, a discussion-based gathering where students share experiences, explore challenges and learn from one another.
At first, she was intimidated.
“I was a little tense,” Butler said. “Everyone already seemed familiar with each other. It felt like walking into a family gathering where everyone knew one another except you.”
But over time, she began to appreciate the openness and trust within the group.
Students discussed everything from current events to personal challenges, creating an environment where participants could learn not only about others but also about themselves.
“It helped me understand different perspectives and see how people from different backgrounds approach situations,” Butler said.
Campbell remembers those early days well.
“When Brianna first joined, she sat in the room really quiet and shy,” he said. “She didn’t want to say much.”
As a political science major with aspirations of becoming an attorney, Butler often found herself the target of Campbell’s good-natured encouragement.
“I would say, ‘Let’s hear what our future lawyer thinks,’” Campbell said with a laugh.
Gradually, Butler became more comfortable speaking up.
One turning point came when Campbell encouraged her to deliver a speech to a group of high school students.
The assignment pushed her far outside her comfort zone.
“I was nervous,” Butler said. “I kept thinking, ‘What can I tell these students? What do they want to hear? After all, I myself was recently in their shoes.’”
Campbell helped her develop an outline and reminded her that authenticity mattered more than perfection.
That experience taught her an important lesson.
“I learned to be okay with making mistakes,” Butler said. “I learned that if you mess up, you can keep going. You can learn from it and move forward.”
Today, Campbell sees a very different student than the one who first entered those conversation circles.
“That Brianna that used to sit quietly, she no longer exists,” he said. “Now she’s speaking in front of groups, mentoring other students and helping lead.”
The transformation reflects what Campbell hopes students gain from the program: confidence rooted in experience.
He believes exposure is one of the most powerful tools for developing future leaders.
“We can teach leadership all day,” he said. “But if you don’t expose students to real-world experiences, it’s difficult to develop leaders. Exposure is critical.”
That philosophy has led ESLI students to a wide range of internship opportunities with corporations, government offices, nonprofit organizations and federal agencies.
For Butler, those opportunities have reinforced her long-term goals.
She plans to attend graduate school, take the LSAT and eventually pursue a career in law. While she remains interested in criminal defense, her internship experience has broadened her understanding of fields such as finance and investment, exposing her to career paths she had not previously considered.
In addition, she has developed a civic leadership initiative aimed at helping younger students understand government, civic engagement and community involvement.
The project encourages grade-school students to learn how local government functions and how they can make a difference in their communities.
“I want students to understand that they can create change,” Butler said. “Even if they’re not old enough to vote yet, they can still be involved.”
For Campbell, stories like Butler’s reflect the broader mission behind ESLI.
As someone who grew up in Arkansas and built his career through education and community engagement, he is passionate about investing in students throughout the Arkansas Delta.
“You can’t count out the Arkansas Delta,” he said. “We are coming, and we are coming fast.”
Looking ahead, Campbell hopes programs like ESLI will continue expanding opportunities for students across the region.
For Butler, the impact is already clear.
What began as a hesitant first step onto an unfamiliar campus has evolved into leadership opportunities, professional growth and a clearer vision for the future.
“If you’re thinking about joining ESLI, do it,” she said. “You never know until you try.”
Contact:
William Hehemann
will.hehemann@gmail.com
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